The 'Battle of Marathon' took place in War I (September 490 BC). According to Herodotus (5th century BC) the Greeks defeated the Persians of Darius I because they prevented the attack of the Persian cavalry. Miltiades sent Phidipides to Athens, who after covering the 42 km, shouted "we won!" and fell tired to death. War II is famous for the battle of the gorge of 'Thermopylae'. Dionysius of Halicarnassus (Ist century BC) refers it was held in the summer of 480 BC. About 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas fought against thousands of Persian and were beaten. The 'naval battle of Salamis' took place on 20 September 480 BC. Xerxes defeated by Themistocles left to Asia Minor.